Garment sorting device and assembly

ABSTRACT

An assembly includes a first garment and a second garment. A first garment sorting device is secured to the first garment. The first garment sorting device includes first and second jaws closed onto the first garment and a female outer member. A second garment sorting device is secured to the second garment. The second garment sorting device includes first and second jaws closed onto the second garment and a male outer member. The male outer member is retained by the female outer member to attach the first garment sorting device to the second garment sorting device. The assembly can be processed through washing and drying operations of a laundry cycle. When the laundry cycle is complete, the devices can be separated from each other but can remain attached to the garments and worn.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates in general to devices for attaching one article to another during laundering. In particular, the invention relates to an assembly of a garment and a device retained on the garment.

[0002] In a typical laundering operation, articles of clothing are combined in a washing machine for a wash cycle. Next, the articles are combined in a dryer for a drying cycle. After drying, the articles are sorted and stored for wear by a wearer. The process of sorting can be a time-consuming process, particularly when it comes to locating matching socks in a load that includes many pairs of socks. Another example of time-consuming sorting involves matching tops with bottoms when the uniforms of an entire team are washed and dried together.

[0003] Various devices have been developed for reducing the burden of sorting articles. However, many of these devices require a fastener to be applied prior to the laundering operation and then removed once the laundering operation is complete. The process of applying and removing the fastener is required each time the articles are laundered. Between laundering operations, the devices must be stored and maintained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is desirable to reduce the time associated with sorting laundry. Furthermore, it is desirable to a garment sorting device that can be retained on a garment or article after a laundry operation is complete.

[0005] This invention includes a garment sorting device that includes a pair of elongated jaws that are closed to retain an article. A male garment sorting device and a female garment sorting device are attached to one another during a laundry operation to retain two articles together. When the laundry operation is complete, the articles are together. When it is desired to separate the articles, such as garments that are to be worn, the male and female devices are separated from one another. However, the devices can remain attached to the articles and worn.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, an assembly includes a first garment and a second garment. A first garment sorting device is secured to the first garment. The first garment sorting device includes first and second jaws closed onto the first garment and a female outer member. A second garment sorting device is secured to the second garment. The second garment sorting device includes first and second jaws closed onto the second garment and a male outer member. The male outer member is retained by the female outer member to attach the first garment sorting device to the second garment sorting device. The assembly can be processed through washing and drying operations of a laundry cycle. When the laundry cycle is complete, the devices can be separated from each other but can remain attached to the garments and worn.

[0007] Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a top view of a garment-sorting device having a female outer member according to this invention illustrated in an open position.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a side view of the garment-sorting device illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the garment sorting device illustrated in a closed position.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a top view of a slightly modified second embodiment of a garment sorting device having a male outer member according to this invention illustrated in the open position.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a side view of the garment sorting device of FIG. 4.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a side view of an assembly according to this invention, including a first garment retained by a closed garment sorting device of FIGS. 4 and 5 and s second garment retained by a closed garment sorting device of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

[0014]FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of an assembly according to this invention, including a first garment retained by a closed garment sorting device and a second garment retained by a closed garment sorting device.

[0015]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an assembly according to this invention, including a first garment retained by a closed garment sorting device and a second garment retained by a closed garment sorting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] A garment-sorting device or clamp is indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The garment-sorting device 10 is particularly useful to attach one garment with another garment prior to laundry operations like washing and drying. For example, the garment-sorting device 10 receiving a first sock (not illustrated) is attached to a second garment-sorting device receiving a matching sock (not illustrated) prior to beginning a wash cycle. During the wash cycle, the matching socks remain together. When the wet socks are transferred to a dryer, the matching socks remain together. After the drying cycle, the socks remain together via the attached garment sorting devices 10. The ordeal of matching the socks after laundry is eliminated. Another example of the use of the garment-sorting devices 10 is the attachment of an upper portion (a top) and a lower portion (shorts) of a sports uniform. During wear, the garment-sorting device 10 remains attached to the garment and is available for use at the next laundry cycle.

[0017] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the garment-sorting device 10 is illustrated in an open or receiving position. The garment-sorting device 10 includes a first elongated jaw indicated generally at 12, a second elongated jaw indicated generally at 14, and a flexible or living hinge 16. Jaws 12 and 14 and living hinge 16 are preferably constructed of plastic or other nonmetallic material sufficient to withstand forces and temperatures encountered during normal washing machine and dryer cycles, without causing any damage to the metallic interiors of washing machines and dryers. Living hinge 16 is designed to withstand multiple cycles of opening and closing.

[0018] First jaw 12 and second jaw 14 extend laterally from and are connected by living hinge 16. Jaws 12 and 14 open outwardly and close inwardly about the living hinge 16. In other embodiments, jaws 12 and 14 can be connected by other means, such as a fastener (not illustrated), that permits the jaws 12 and 14 to open and close.

[0019] Jaw 12 has an inner face 18 and an outer face 20. Jaw 14 has an inner face 22 and an outer face 24. Teeth 25 and a female inner snap member, indicated generally at 28, are located on inner face 18 of jaw 12. The female inner snap member 28 can be formed as an annular wall 27 having a radially inwardly projecting lip 29.

[0020] Teeth 26 and a male inner snap member, indicated generally at 30, are located on an inner face 22 of jaw 14. The male inner snap member 30 can be formed as a post 31 having a circumferential ring 32.

[0021] A female outer snap member, indicated generally at 33, is located on an outer face 20 of jaw 12. The female outer snap member 33 can be formed as an annular wall 34 and a radially inwardly projecting lip 35.

[0022] An end stop 36 is located an end surface of jaw 12. An end stop 37 is located at an end surface of jaw 14. The range of motion of jaws 12 and 14 is limited outwardly by stops 36 and 37 and inwardly by the engagement of teeth 25 and 26.

[0023] When jaws 12 and 14 are closed inwardly along living hinge 16, the concave and convex sections of teeth 25 and 26 from jaw 12 and jaw 14, respectively, engage in a pattern as shown in FIG. 3. Jaws 12 and 14 are then locked in this position by the snap engagement of male inner snap member 30 into female inner snap member 28, as shown in detail in FIG. 3. The ring 32 of the male inner snap member 30 is retained by the lip 29 of the female inner snap member 28.

[0024] A second embodiment of a garment-sorting device according to this invention is indicated generally at 10′ in FIGS. 4 and 5. The garment-sorting device 10′ includes similar elements as device 10, except the female outer snap member 33 has been replace by a male outer snap member 38, preferably at approximate the same position. Each of the corresponding elements are indicated with like reference numerals following by a prime (′) sign.

[0025] In FIGS. 4 and 5, the garment-sorting device 10′ is illustrated in an open or receiving position. The garment-sorting device 10′ includes a first elongated jaw indicated generally at 12′, a second elongated jaw indicated generally at 14′, and a flexible or living hinge 16′.

[0026] First jaw 12′ and second jaw 14′ extend laterally from and are connected by living hinge 16′. Jaws 12′ and 14′ open outwardly and close inwardly about the living hinge 16′. Jaw 12′ has an inner face 18′ and an outer face 20′. Jaw 14′ has an inner face 22′ and an outer face 24′. Teeth 25′ and a female inner snap member 28′ are located on inner face 18′ of jaw 12′. The female inner snap member 28′ can be formed as an annular wall 27′ having a radially inwardly projecting lip 29′.

[0027] Teeth 26′ and a male inner snap member 30′ are located on inner face 22′ of jaw 14′. The male inner snap member 30′ can be formed as a post 31 ′ having a circumferential ring 32′.

[0028] An end stop 36′ is located on an end surface of jaw 12′. An end stop 37′ is located on an end surface of jaw 14′. The range of motion of jaws 12′ and 14′ is limited outwardly by stops 36′ and 37′ and inwardly by the engagement of teeth 25′ and 26′.

[0029] The male outer snap member 38 is located on outer face 20′ of jaw 12′. Male outer snap member 38 can be formed as a post 39 having a circumferential ring 40. The ring 40 is sized to be received and retained by the female outer snap member 33 of device 10 as described below. Device 10′ closes and is retained in a closed position as the male inner snap member 30′ is received in the female inner snap member 28′ in a manner similar to device 10.

[0030] An assembly 100 according to this invention is indicated generally at 100 in FIG. 6. The assembly includes a first garment 102 and a second garment 104. The garments 102 and 104 can be matching socks, a matching top and bottom, etc. Garment 102 is secured between the jaws 12′ and 14′ of device 10′. Male inner snap member 30′ is received into female inner snap member 28′. Garment 104 is secured between the jaws 12 and 14 of device 10. Male inner snap member 30 is received into female inner snap member 28.

[0031] The male outer snap member 38 of device 10′ has been inserted into the female outer snap member 33 of device 10. The ring 40 on post 39 is retained by the annular lip 35 formed on wall 34. In this manner, garments 102 and 104 can be put through wash and dry operations of a laundry cycle. The garments 102 and 104 will remain together and are matched at the end of the cycle.

[0032] When a wearer is ready to put on garment 102 and garment 104, devices 10′ and 10 are separated or unsnapped as the male outer snap member 38 is pulled apart from the female outer snap member 33.

[0033] Unlike many prior art garment clamps, devices 10 and 10′ can be retained on the garments 104 and 102 when the garments are being worn. Devices 10 and 10′ are relatively small and do not interfere with wear of a garment. When a garment is ready to be washed, the garment-sorting devices 10 and 10′ are already applied.

[0034] A second embodiment of an assembly according to this invention is indicated generally at 200 in FIG. 7. The assembly includes a first garment 202 and a second garment 204. The garments 202 and 204 can be matching socks, a matching top and bottom, articles of clothing, etc. Garment 202 is secured between the jaws 212′ and 214′ of a device 210′. A male inner snap member 230′ is received into a female inner snap member 228′. Garment 204 is secured between the jaws 212 and 214 of device 10. A male inner snap member 230 is received into female inner snap member 228.

[0035] A male outer snap member 238 of device 210′ is to be inserted into the female outer snap member 233 of device 210. In FIG. 7, the devices 210 and 210′ are shown spaced apart prior to attachment. A ring or flange 240 on a post 239 is retained by an annular lip 235 formed on a wall 234. In this manner, garments 202 and 204 can be put through wash and dry operations of a laundry cycle. The garments 202 and 204 will remain together and are matched at the end of a laundry cycle.

[0036] Device 210 includes a complementary tooth pattern 226 formed in jaws 212 and 214. A pin 250 can be formed in one of the jaws 212 and 214 and extends into a receiving cavity 252 in the opposite jaw 212 and 214. The pin 250 passes through the garment 204 to assist in the retention of the garment 204 between the jaws 212 and 214. The pin 214 may be molded as an integral member of the jaw 212 or 214 and may include a head 254. In a similar manner, a tooth pattern 226′, a pin 250′, a cavity 252′, and a head 254′ are provided in device 210′.

[0037] Unlike many prior art garment clamps, devices 210 and 210′ can be retained on the garments 204 and 202 when the garments are being worn. Devices 210 and 210′ are relatively small and do not interfere with wear of a garment. When a garment is ready to be washed, the garment-sorting devices 210 and 210′ are already applied.

[0038] A third embodiment of an assembly according to this invention is indicated generally at 300 in FIG. 8. A ring 360 is substituted for a female outer snap member for device on a device 310 that secures a garment 304 between jaws 312 and 314. A flexible hook 370 is substituted for a male outer snap member on a device 310′ that secures a garment 302 between jaws 312′ and 314′. The hook is opened as indicated in phantom lines and passed through the ring 360 and then returned to a holder 372 to secure devices 310′ to device 310.

[0039] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly of garment sorting devices comprising: a first garment sorting device having a first jaw connected to a second jaw, wherein the first jaw includes a female outer snap member; and a second garment sorting device having a first jaw connected to a second jaw, wherein the first jaw includes a male outer snap member, wherein the male outer snap member is retained by the female outer snap member so that the first and second garment sorting devices are attached.
 2. The assembly specified in claim 1 wherein the female outer snap member includes a lip that retains a ring formed on the male outer snap member.
 3. The assembly specified in claim 2 wherein the lip of the female outer snap member is formed as a radially inwardly projecting lip on an annular wall formed on the first jaw of the first garment sorting device.
 4. The assembly specified in claim 2 wherein the ring of the male outer snap member is located at the terminus of a post formed on the first jaw of the second garment sorting device.
 5. The assembly specified in claim 1 wherein the first jaw of the first garment sorting device includes an inner face having a female inner snap member and the second jaw of the first garment sorting device includes an inner face having a male inner snap member that cooperates with the female inner snap member to close the first and second jaws.
 6. The assembly specified in claim 5 wherein the inner face of the first jaw of the first garment sorting device includes teeth and the inner face of the second jaw of the second garment sorting device includes teeth that cooperate with the teeth of the first jaw when the first and second jaws are closed.
 7. The assembly specified in claim 5 wherein the female outer snap member is formed on an outer face of the first jaw of the first garment sorting device and the male outer snap member is formed on an outer face of the first jaw of the second garment sorting device.
 8. The assembly specified in claim 1 wherein the first and second jaws of the first garment sorting device are connected by a living hinge.
 9. A garment and garment sorting device assembly comprising: a garment; and a garment sorting device having first and second elongated jaws, each jaw including a inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the first jaw includes a female member, wherein the inner surface of the second jaw includes a male member, wherein the male member is retained by the female member to close the jaws and secure the garment between the jaws.
 10. The garment and garment sorting device assembly specified in claim 9 wherein the inner surface of the first and second jaws include teeth that cooperate to retain the garment.
 11. The garment and garment sorting device assembly specified in claim 9 wherein the female member includes an annular wall terminating in a radially inwardly projecting lip.
 12. The garment and garment sorting device assembly specified in claim 9 wherein the male member includes a post terminating in a ring.
 13. An assembly of garment and garment sorting devices comprising: a first garment; a second garment; a first garment sorting device secured to the first garment, the first garment sorting device including first and second jaws closed onto the first garment, and a female outer member; a second garment sorting device secured to the second garment, the second garment sorting device including first and second jaws closed onto the second garment, and a male outer member, wherein the male outer member is retained by the female outer member to attach the first garment sorting device to the second garment sorting device.
 14. The assembly specified in claim 13 wherein the first jaw of the first garment sorting device includes an inner face having a female inner snap member and an outer face having the female outer member.
 15. The assembly specified in claim 14 wherein the second jaw of the first garment sorting device includes an inner face having a male inner snap member that cooperates with the female inner snap member to close the jaws on the first garment.
 16. The assembly specified in claim 15 wherein the first jaw of the second garment sorting device includes an inner face having a female inner snap member and an outer face having the male outer member.
 17. The assembly specified in claim 16 wherein the second jaw of the second garment sorting device includes an inner face having a male inner snap member that cooperates with the female inner snap member to close the jaws on the second garment.
 18. The assembly specified in claim 13 wherein the female outer member includes a lip that retains a ring on the male outer member.
 19. The assembly specified in claim 13 wherein the male outer member includes a hook that passes though a ring of the female outer member.
 20. The assembly specified in claim 13 wherein a pin is provided in one of the jaws of the first garment sorting device. 